Chennai: The Chennai metro rail, in spite of being the most advanced mode of transport that is coming to the city, does not have any provision for toilets for its passengers. The design plan of none of the 31 stations shows toilets for passengers and officials confirm this. According to metro rail officials, the exclusion of toilets from the design is due to the fact that even Delhi metro and several metros abroad do not have toilets: the idea is not to have passengers inside the station for long hours.
Three of the metro stations, including Koyambedu, Vadapalani and Ashok Nagar, have been identified for giving out commercial space which will have shops and offices. Tenders for these have been floated. But even for these spaces, there is no provision for toilets, mandatory or otherwise. Officials say, “People taking the space can make toilets with our consent.”
In the Delhi model, toilets are placed outside the stations and run by private NGOs but most of them are reportedly inaccessible due to various reasons like being situated far away from the station and absence of visibility.
In stations abroad, toilets are restricted for staff use and only in case of emergencies are they allowed for passengers. This policy is reportedly to curb unlawful and unwanted activity in the station.Here in the city, metro rail officials say that so far they have not talked to the corporation to set up toilets near the stations. The officials add, “We will look at the crowd and decide.” Acquiring space is another constraint that metro officials speak of.
At a recent conference here on World Toilet Day, managing director of town panchayat Rajendra Ratnoo spoke of the research that needs to be undertaken even before building a toilet. He says, “The location of the toilet has to be thought of, as well as concerns of safety, proper lighting and even maintenance.” He warns that unless this is done, toilets could end up as unused sheds.
Activists say that absence of such facilities in public places is a violation and is a health issue. A. Narayan, director of Change India, says, “Be it a metro station or a bus stand, their duty does not finish with providing a commuting facility; toilets, too, are part of the service. Women and the elderly are often seen not eating or drinking much before going out, fearing that they have to use toilets, and this affects their health.”
